also gave them high praise — and defended them against critics — when they officially opposed the Ugandan Law and finally officially opposed criminalization of homosexual acts between consenting adults. I posted my thanks, called Alan personally and sent letters of thanks.

I try to give credit and encouragement when it is deserved. It’s just that on this issue, I do not trust the motivation, especially given how resistant Exodus was to adopting their policy against bullying. Yes, a good step. A change in direction for Exodus? I sincerely hope so. Time will tell.

“Without question, Day of Truth is a loving and redemptive way students of faith can express their views positively in response to GLSEN’s Day of Silence which only presents one point of view,” Candi Cushman, education analyst for Focus on the Family, said in a statement.

So the Day of Silence is about how anti-gay name-calling and bully silences and hurts GLBT students, and Candi wants to present another point of view.

I could never reconcile what Exodus said in much of its literature about tolerance going both ways but then stating that “the Day of Truth is only the beginning” as it was hoping to create “an honest discussion about homosexuality” – when it came directly after the Day of Silence which was nothing but a statement for tolerance and against bullying.

So I am glad Exodus finally got it together, but I’m saddened that it had to happen after several kids committed suicide after bullied for being or perceived as gay.

…

A thought…

Perhaps when someone takes steps, however grudgingly, in the right direction, it is better to offer praise rather than condemnation for the slowness of the steps. Otherwise, if they are going to get criticized either way why would they even consider what you request?

Regardless of one’s view about sexual ethics, family values, or same-sex marriage, I believe that encouraging or contributing to violence against LGBT people, either directly or indirectly, is the true sin against nature and creation. The steps that the above LGBT religious leaders and allies are taking to stop the bullying and harassment of LGBT youth affirm the truth that God is love and that we are all created in God’s image and likeness.

I challenge all people involved with anti-gay faith-based groups to practice what they preach and condemn all forms of violence, self-inflicted or otherwise, against LGBT people. They can no longer remain silent and wash their hands of responsibility, as Pontius Pilate did with Jesus of Nazareth, in the face of the growing number of deaths of LGBT young people. Regardless of what these groups may believe about sin, they need to speak out against this violence. That, to me, is what it truly means to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself.

St. Paul writes in his First Letter to the Corinthians that the great theological virtues are faith, hope, and love. We must give faith to our LGBT young people that things will get better, no matter how bleak things may seem right now. We must give them hope that there are others out there who care about them. And we must give them love by speaking out and acting forcefully against LGBT violence in all its forms.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-patrick-s-cheng-phd/faith-hope-and-love-endin_b_749160.html?ir=Impact